GOVERNMENT OF DJIBOUTI PROGRESS ON DJIBOUTI

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 001136 SIPDIS FOR OBO/AM; OBO/REPM/AQD VICKI HARTUNG; OBO/PD/PEA PAUL THORN FOR AF/EX FOR AF/E E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ABLD AMGT DJ SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT OF DJIBOUTI PROGRESS ON DJIBOUTI NEC CONTRACT CONDITIONS REF STATE 206608 1.Charge d'Affaires met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director of Bilateral Relations Mohamed Ali Hassan on November 16 to impress on him USG concern that progress is not apparent on the infrastructure installation at/near the future embassy site. Charge informed the Director that USG planning and contracting/funding requirements could be affected negatively if the Government of Djibouti did not meet its contractually obligated timelines. Also discussed was the need for information about grades and elevations as noted in reftel paragraph 5. 2.The Director noted that he closely followed the contract negotiations and worked consistently with the Ministry of Finance regarding g Djiboutian compliance with contractual obligations. He allowed that in addition to timing requirements related to Djiboutian government contracting, similar to USG requirements, the unbearable temperatures of the summer and the general slowdown of Ramadan impacted progress. Nevertheless, bids have been submitted and the Ministry of Finance is completing contracting. The Director said that he will not be surprised at some minor delays but he said the timelines will be almost completely followed, and that the government's obligations will be fulfilled near the end of February. 3.The Charge thanked the Director for the information and clarified that the Department of State's ability to complete planning and construction requirements relied on access to appropriations. The Charge told the Director that if funds could not be obligated during the fiscal year, they could be lost and consequent project delays could be extensive. 4.The Director appreciated the explanation and d agreed that delays were in no one's interest. He asked to be advised when local contracts might be available, clearly expressing interest in local economic enhancement, to which the Charge replied that such information could not be provided until a construction schedule was developed, and such development could not occur without Djiboutian completion of their contract obligations. 5.Post will closely follow local action and will maintain reporting to the Department. BALL